Your help is needed!

We have been asked by Construction Industry Training Board to participate in the review of the National Occupational Standard (NOS) that ultimately sets the objectives for the Building Preservation Apprentice scheme operated by the Association. Employers are needed to contribute to the review group and as the PCA is not an employer of technicians, we cannot fulfil this function on your behalf.

The bits of the NOS that relates to you, our members – and where our expertise is important – is Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Option Route (Total 6) & Wall Tie Replacement Option Route (Total 6). Click on the button below to access the review.

To talk this through or for more information, please call Jade or Steve on 01480 400000, or you can go directly to Paul at: Paul.Lintott@citb.co.uk / 07787575252.

KTP Update

We shared with members at the Building Preservation Conference last year, that our Knowledge Transfer Project had moved on thanks to the collaboration between PCA, UCL Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and a local Housing Association.

Your resident PCA scientist Paula has provided members with a valuable update which includes the development of a new diagnostic tool that’s led to an increasing number of organisations who want to collaborate with us!

With YOUR continued support and involvement, we can continue to drive research and demonstrate that our diagnostic tool is a cost-effective solution to reducing indoor moisture in UK dwellings.

An Insight into the Origins of the Preservation Industry

Following our FIRST EVER Virtual Regional Meeting earlier this week, PCA’s James Berry will be delivering his ‘Evolution of Damp Control’ webinar on Thursday 9th April.

James will present a whistle-stop tour of how methods of controlling groundwater in the built environment has changed over the course of time, why these changes have come about and dispelling a few myths along the way. To learn more of the history of your industry, click to register via the button below…

Opportunity for e-Learning

We have had a number of requests over the past two weeks regarding our online Health & Safety course. This e-Learning module offers members a number of benefits that are especially relevant now, with the ability to complete at a time, location and pace to suit you.

This course covers important topics that are relevant to our members working in the property preservation industry. For those looking to sit the damp and timber CSTDB and structural waterproofing CSSW examinations when normality is resumed, these exams will specifically examine areas covered by the e-learning module.

For more information, give us a call on 01480 400000 or click on the button below…

Help for Working Parents: The Great Indoors

We know all too well how difficult it is for our members to manage working for home, particularly with the spread of COVID-19 causing schools and nurseries to close.

To help inspire ideas to keep the kids busy at home, we tripped across a post from the Scouts Association that we thought might be useful to you during these tricky times. Check out their #TheGreatIndoors adventure list and keep your kids learning new skills and having fun – not least to avoid hearing ‘I’m bored’ every 30 seconds!

PCA Webinars – What’s on the Schedule?

Your Association has a number of webinars scheduled over the coming weeks to keep members updated with relevant information and topics of interest. Keep an eye out on the ‘Webinars’ page on our website, in our weekly emails and across social media as we send out reminders. So what’s on the schedule for the next few weeks:

**Members Only** “Tune in Tuesday”: Every Tuesday, 9-10am

Wood decay in buildings: causes and cures: 14th April, 9-10am

Defects in Cavity Construction: 23rd April, 9-10am

PCA Members can register or find out more information via the button below – this is your opportunity to keep in touch with YOUR Association.

PCA Lighthearted Pub Quiz

To keep spirits up (no pun intended) and to add a little lighthearted fun to keep us all engaged, we are launching the PCA Virtual Pub Quiz! We are normally looking to make this a regular Friday afternoon feature however, as it is Good Friday next week, our first-ever virtual PCA Pub Quiz will take place on Thursday 9th April at 2pm!

Sadly, not in a real pub, but since most of us are at home, get yourself a cheeky drink and a pie (if you are lucky enough to have one) and join us on Thursday to test your knowledge with a few red herrings thrown in for good old fashioned banter!

Property Flood Round Table Meeting

Your Association attended the DEFRA/Industry Flood Action Round Table (via video link) last week on behalf of members. There was a good debate about training and certification of professionals and we are pleased to share with members that the PCA volunteered to take part in these further conversations.

We are working hard to remain at the forefront of meetings such as this, to play our part and share with members how policy is changing for the better – click on the button below to read more.

The Effects of Water Repellents on Porous Masonry

We are all too aware of how easy it seems in this day and age to throw around accusation and allegation without anything to back them up and unfortunately, the internet is the perfect platform for this. We always have a great deal of time and respect for those that go the extra mile to prove and back up their theories and one such example of this is this blog post from PCA member Russell Rafton of DryFix Preservation on the ‘Effects of Water Repellents on Porous Masonry’.

Great work Russell. Click to read the full article via the button below…